THE ARTISTIC TYPE: A BLOG OF THEATER, ARTS & CULTURE

Magic takes center stage at Orlando Repertory Theatre with "The Magical Adventures of Merlin," a musical that introduces children to the tale of good King Arthur, Guinevere and the titular wizard. In this new hourlong musical version, the main characters are teenagers. Merlin is still an apprentice, and Arthur has yet to pull that sword from its stone.

Directed by Steve MacKinnon, the Rep's production is beautiful to look at. Vandy Wood has created a appropriately mythical world of forest and rock, augmented by theatrical mists and George Jackson's dynamic lighting. Winfield Murdock's sumptuous costumes conjure grand adventure before the plot even kicks in.

Adding to the fun are the tricks taking place onstage when Merlin works on his magic: A sheet flies off a bed of its own volition, books turn their own pages. Magician Tony Brent consulted on the show, and the action is peppered with other illusions. A scarf changes colors, a bouquet of flowers appears, small lights jump from actor to actor — there's even a card trick.

MacKinnon smoothly works the illusions into the story; the show never stops as if to say "Here's a trick."

In fact, the show never stops at all. It breathlessly lunges from plot point to plot point, hammering its friendship-first message. A quieter moment or two in between songs would go a long way to making "Merlin" feel like something more than an assembly line of musical numbers.

Not that there's anything wrong with the tunes by show writers Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, which are plenty catchy.

The strong-voiced cast is wholeheartedly up for the adventure, especially Erik Nelson as the appealingly frustrated young wizard. I wished Kelly Kilgore's divalike Sorceress was more scary, but her villainy is enhanced by flashy sword-fighting between her goons and our heroes.

Adults can smile at the references to Camelot and the Round Table. Kids will be busy wondering how Morgana made fire fly from her fingers.

• When: 2 and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Feb. 23. The 5:30 p.m. Feb. 8 show features Papa John's Pizza Family Night, with pizza available before and after the show for $2 per slice. (Whole pies can also be ordered.) Backstage tours, at $5 per person, are offered after the 5:30 shows on Feb. 1 and 15. The 2 p.m. Feb. 15 show features American Sign Language interpretation.